Metro East Sun

City of O'Fallon City Council met July 7

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

1. OPENING

Procedural: 1.1 CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Van Hook called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Information, Procedural: 1.2 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Van Hook led council in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Procedural: 1.3 ROLL CALL

Members present: Ross Rosenberg, Dennis Muyleart, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Aaron Hudson, Tom Vorce, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Members present via zoom: Todd Roach, Curtis Newcomb

Members Absent: Jim Blackburn

Action, Minutes: 1.4 APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 16, 2025

Motion by Roy Carney, second by Jessica Lotz to approve the minutes of June 16, 2025.

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Dennis Muyleart, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Todd Roach, Curtis Newcomb, Aaron Hudson, Tom Vorce, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Final Resolution: 13 ayes, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

2. PUBLIC HEARING

No Public Hearing scheduled at this time.

3. CITY PRESENTATIONS

No City Presentations scheduled at this time.

4. REPORTS - PUBLIC COMMENTS

Information: 4.1 PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ron Zelms spoke for 3 minutes and 25 seconds.

Vern Malare spoke for 5 minutes and 6 seconds.

5. REPORTS - CLERK'S REPORT

Action: 5.1 Raffle request from St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church to sell raffle tickets ranging from $10-$100 each from August 22-September 27, 2025, with the prizes to be drawn at Oktoberfest on September 27.

Motion by Ross Rosenberg, second by Jessica Lotz to approve a raffle request from St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church to sell raffle tickets ranging from $10 - $100 each from August 22, 2025 - September 27, 2025 with the prizes to be drawn at Oktoberfest located at 214 W Third St. on September 27, 2025.

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Dennis Muyleart, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Todd Roach, Curtis Newcomb, Aaron Hudson, Tom Vorce, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Final Resolution: 13 ayes, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

6. REPORTS - MAYOR'S REPORT

Action: 6.1 Appointment of Timothy Sedabres to the Planning Commission for a 3-year term expiring July 7, 2028.

Motion by Nathan Parchman, second by James Campbell to approve the appointment of Timothy Sedabres to the Planning Commission for a 3-year term expiring July 7, 2028.

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Dennis Muyleart, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Todd Roach, Curtis Newcomb, Aaron Hudson, Tom Vorce, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Final Resolution: 13 ayes, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

Information: 6.2 Downtown District Nights is July 10 from 5-9 p.m. featuring Champagne Fixx and Raised on Radio

Information: 6.3 Re-Scheduled Community Park Ribbon-Cutting and Grand Opening to July 23 at 4:30 p.m.

Information: 6.4 Music in the Park is July 16 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. featuring Random Panther at the Community Park Amphitheater

7. RESOLUTIONS

Action: 7.1 Resolution authorizing transfer of reserves and budget amendments for major funds with expenditures in excess of budgeted amounts at the end of FY 25

Motion by Nathan Parchman, second by James Campbell to approve a resolution authorizing a transfer from reserves and budget amendments for major funds with expenditures in excess of budgeted amounts at the end of FY 25

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Dennis Muyleart, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Todd Roach, Curtis Newcomb, Aaron Hudson, Tom Vorce, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Final Resolution: 13 ayes, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

8. ORDINANCES - 1ST READING

Action: 8.1 Ordinance to retain the 1% Grocery Sales Tax

Motion by Nathan Parchman, second by Jessica Lotz to consider on 1st reading an Ordinance implementing a Municipal Grocery Retailers' Occupation Tax and a Municipal Grocery Service Occupation Tax for the City of O'Fallon, IL

Council Member Muyleart stated that the reserves are in good shape and residents need a tax break.

Council Member Vorce agreed with Council member Muyleart.

Council Member Lotz stated that she wanted to keep the level of services for the citizens. Approximately $500,000.00 would go to the police department and $200,000.00 for the street department. Contracts are up for negotiation in March of 26 and if they stay at the same rate of increase, it will cost an additional $250,000.00 just for salaries. The ¼ cent sales tax would be more than the grocery tax. The city uses general fund for major projects like the public works 85M project that is coming up. Taxation is an issue, but my research shows that this is reasonable.

Council Member Roach stated that 40% of people who come to O’Fallon are the ones paying for the ¼ cent sales tax, but more residents would be paying for the 1% grocery tax. The new development at Meijer will bring additional revenue to the city. I would like to propose an amendment to the motion to  give council time to evaluate the effects on the sales tax. For the first year allow the 1% sales tax and then every year after decrease the tax by .25% until we have no grocery tax.

Mayor Van Hook asked if there was a second to Council Member Roach’s amendment. Hearing no second, the motion dies.

Council Member Carney stated that people are willing to pay this tax as they are currently paying for it.

He spoke to many people in Ward 3, and they stated that it wasn’t a problem because they are currently paying for the sales tax.

Council Member Stoffel said that the state makes choices that don’t affect the state but have major effects on local municipalities. She will be voting in support of the tax.

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Curtis Newcomb, Aaron Hudson, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Nay: Dennis Muyleart, Todd Roach, Tom Vorce

Final Resolution: 10 ayes, 3 nays, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

Action: 8.2 Ordinance to set a public hearing to approve a special business district plan for the proposed West Highway 50 & North Green Mount Road Business District

Motion by Jessica Lotz, second by James Campbell to consider on 1st reading an Ordinance to set a public hearing to approve a special business district plan for the proposed West Highway 50 & North Green Mount Road Business District

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Dennis Muyleart, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Todd Roach, Curtis Newcomb, Aaron Hudson, Tom Vorce, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Final Resolution: 13 ayes, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

9. ORDINANCES - 2ND READING

No Ordinances for 2nd reading at this time.

10. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Vern Malare spoke for 4 minutes and 4 seconds.

11. STAFF & COUNCIL MEMBER COMMENTS

Information: 11.1 Staff & Council Member Comments

Sandy Evans stated that most items that have been questions on the warrant were budgeting for. Que software is for sewer systems, Dell is for our annual subscriptions.

Andrew Dallner stated three small pavilions are being replaced by 1 medium sized pavilion. The mound of dirt at the community park is going away and the lighting at the sport park is paid for by the renters not by the city.

Jeff Taylor stated that they streetlight by I Scream U Scream has been requested from Ameren.

Walter Denton stated that the Business District Tax is only to set a date for a public hearing.

Kirk Brueggeman stated that the two vehicles purchased for PD were budgeted for.

Greg Anderson stated that the Spring Hill Suites Business District does not include additional lots, but if a developer wants to propose something, that would most likely be included in the business district tax.

Grant Litteken has entered a service request into On Demand for the culvert at 5th and Hilgard.

Council member Fohne invited residents to contact her or Council Member Carney with any comments or concerns anytime, please don’t just wait for a meeting.

12. REPORTS - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Council Member Lotz stated that the next meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

13. REPORTS - PUBLIC WORKS

Council Member Rosenberg stated that the next meeting is scheduled for July 28, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.

14. REPORTS - PUBLIC SAFETY

Council Member Muyleart stated that the next meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

15. REPORTS - PARKS/ENVIRONMENT

Council Member Vorce stated that the next meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2025 has been cancelled due to lack of business.

16. REPORTS - FINANCE/ADMINISTRATION

Council Member Parchman stated that the next meeting is scheduled for July 28, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.

Action: 16.2 Motion to approve the Budget to Actual report for the period ending March 31, 2025

Motion by Nathan Parchman, second by Jessica Lotz to approve the Budget to Actual Report for the period ending March 31, 2025.

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Dennis Muyleart, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Todd Roach, Curtis Newcomb, Aaron Hudson, Tom Vorce, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Final Resolution: 13 ayes, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

Action: 16.3 Warrant Approval

Motion by Nathan Parchman, second by Andrea Fohne to approve Warrant #562 in the amount of $2,655,599.09.

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Dennis Muyleart, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Todd Roach, Curtis Newcomb, Aaron Hudson, Tom Vorce, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Final Resolution: 13 ayes, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

17. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Information: 17.1 CLOSED SESSION - Occasionally, the Council may go into closed session to discuss items covered under 5 ILCS 120/2(b)

Action: 17.2 POSSIBLE ENTRY INTO CLOSED SESSION

Motion by Ross Rosenberg, second by Jessica Lotz to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing Possible Terms of Purchase of Property.

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Dennis Muyleart, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Todd Roach, Curtis Newcomb, Aaron Hudson, Tom Vorce, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Final Resolution: 13 ayes, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

Council Entered Executive Session at 7:41 p.m.

Action: 17.3 RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

Motion by Roy Carney, second by James Campbell to return to open session.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried.

Aye: Ross Rosenberg, Dennis Muyleart, Jessica Lotz, Martha Stoffel, Roy Carney, Andrea Fohne, Todd Roach, Curtis Newcomb, Aaron Hudson, Tom Vorce, James Campbell, Nathan Parchman, Jimmy Ford

Final Resolution: 13 ayes, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

Regular Session was convened at 7:59 p.m.

Action: 17.4 ACTION TAKEN ON EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS

No action was taken after executive session.

18. ADJOURNMENT

Action: 18.1 ADJOURN THE MEETING

Motion by Carney, second by Dennis Muyleart to adjourn the meeting

Final Resolution: 13 ayes, 1 absent. Motion Carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/ofallon/Board.nsf/files/DJDJ3K4AF5AC/$file/250707CouncilMinutes.pdf